Rolls-Royce Submarines, which develops nuclear reactors for Britain’s Royal Navy, has secured a deal to produce nuclear reactor, aerospace and defense components at a 200-hectare technology park.
The Rolls-Royce subsidiary announced the partnership with Infinity, headquartered in Derby, on Friday November 6th. The advanced manufacturing company is currently building a 200-hectare technology park to accelerate both research and production of nuclear and aerospace components.
The sprawling site, which is about the size of 151 American football fields, will combine modern manufacturing, testing, digital engineering and prototyping centers. The agreement aims to speed up production, reduce material costs and improve access to critical components.
The announcement comes as Rolls-Royce expands its work on nuclear submarines. The company also plans to provide nuclear reactors for Australia’s future submarines under the AUKUS defense agreement.
A new innovation center
Infinity announced that the site will bring together manufacturers, suppliers, universities and training providers in a single location. They also include 3D printing, high-performance beam welding and hot isostatic pressing (HIP), a method that applies high temperatures and pressure to materials to increase their strength and eliminate internal defects.
Power beam welding, on the other hand, uses concentrated beams of energy to connect metal components. These processes could improve the production of large and complex parts used in nuclear reactors, aerospace equipment and defense systems.
This could give manufacturers more control over how critical components are made. The site is already home to the Rolls-Royce Nuclear Skills Academy, a unique facility that trains workers for the nuclear industry.
Lee Warren, director of engineering and technology at Rolls-Royce Submarines, said research into new manufacturing methods was essential. “As our business grows to meet demand for our nuclear ship propulsion work, including increasing our production levels and supplying reactors to Australia under the AUKUS agreement, we must ensure we continue to explore new technologies,” he said.
A new nuclear chapter
Rolls-Royce Submarines designs, produces and maintains the nuclear reactors that have powered the Royal Navy’s submarine fleet for decades. The first PWR1 reactor came into operation in the 1960s, initially on the Valiant-class submarines.
The newer PWR2 reactors power the Vanguard and Astute class submarines. Meanwhile, the PWR3 reactor is intended for upcoming Dreadnought-class submarines, and an improved version is planned for future AUKUS-class ships operated by Great Britain and Australia.
“For over 65 years we have designed, developed, manufactured and maintained the reactors that power the UK’s nuclear submarine fleet and have achieved this by balancing consistent delivery with research into future innovation,” Warren said in a press release. The company currently employs over 5,500 people.
Warren said the deal will allow the company to explore new manufacturing methods at the park while continuing production at the Raynesway site. The park could also serve other industries, with UK Fusion Energy recently partnering with Infinity to advance the UK STEP fusion power plant in Nottinghamshire.
Infinity CEO Gary Jones, PhD, said the collaboration will strengthen domestic manufacturing for the defense industry. “I am very proud to announce our partnership and look forward to working with Rolls-Royce Submarines,” he concluded. The larger technology park is expected to create around 17,500 skilled jobs in the East Midlands.
